what follows. At the meeting on Oct. 5th, the Clerk read a letter received from Capt. Scrivens, of the 4th Cinque Ports Artillery, communicating a vote passed by the Finance Committee of the Corps, thanking the Council for granting a portion of beach for the gun battery at a nominal rent, and the Local Board for the use of their horses to draw the guns in the late procession through the town.
The Water Supply.
At the first meeting of the year (Jan. 6) The Clerk read the reports from the Water Committee to the effect that a sub-committee had visited Pevensey Sluice, where there was a good supply of water, but were told by Mr. M. Vidler that the whole quantity running in the summer was required by the Commissioners of Pevensey Levels. The Committee had also considered it advisable to apply to the Countess of Waldegrave for a lease of land at St. Andrew’s for 99 years, if her ladyship would grant one on reasonable terms. The general committee had received a letter from Mr. William Hull (secretary) as follows:-
- “I am directed by Mr. Chas. Clark to inform you that as there are now large volumes of water running to waste from the Western Water-works, and having arranged with the landowners, he is enabled to filter and store large quantities, which will be sufficient to supply at a short notice the low levels of the East Ward – say commencing at St. Andrews terrace and extending through Bedford place, Russell street, the Castle hotel, Wellington place, Pelham street, Castle street, George street, the Albion hotel and so far eastward as the levels allow – excellent filtered water, ample for all domestic purposes, at 6d in the pound on the present rating. No payment will be required until the conditions are satisfactorily complied with. The contract may be taken for a term of years. Your early reply will oblige. Jan. 3rd, 1860.”
Another Offer from Mr. Clark. After the Committee had replied to the above communication in a bombastic and erroneous manner that instead of requiring any water from him, they had an abundant supply in their own works and were capable of supplying both low and high levels in the Local Board district, another letter was read in which Mr. Clark offered to sell his interest in the Eversfield Waterworks at a fair valuation. Some of the members of the Board received the intimation with “Bravo, Clark!” “That’s sensible!” &c. The opinion generally expressed was that it was the most straight-forward letter that had been received from Mr. Clark. Ald. Clement remarked that to sell the works at their fair valuation was altogether different to the price of £12,000 or £13,000 which had been talked about. – Coun. Putland said most of them knew the value and character of Mr. Clark’s works, and for himself he would say that if they could be obtained even for a thousand pounds more that their value, give it, as the putting the water supply under one authority -
